DAISY Award
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles is proud to partner with the not-for-profit DAISY Foundation to recognize and celebrate nurses every month. The DAISY Award is an international recognition program started in memory of J. Patrick Barnes to express gratitude to nurses. The Barnes family experienced excellent treatment and outstanding compassionate care, and the family created this award after seeing what a difference nurses made in Pat’s care. The DAISY Award lets patients, families, and CHLA team members thank and honor special nurses and the incredibly meaningful difference they make in the lives of so many people. There are both individual and team DAISY Awards. Anyone can nominate a nurse or nurse-led team for a DAISY Award!
Please visit DAISYFoundation.org to learn more about Pat’s story and how the DAISY Award recognizes extraordinary nurses.
Each DAISY Award honoree is recognized at a public ceremony in their unit and receives: an award certificate, a DAISY award pin, and a hand-carved stone sculpture, “A Healer’s Touch.” Additionally, everyone in the unit celebrates with Cinnabon cinnamon rolls - a favorite of Pat’s during his illness. The Barnes family asks that whenever and wherever nurses smell that wonderful cinnamon aroma, they stop for a moment and thing about how special they are.
Nominate a CHLA nurse, or team led by a nurse!
2024 Honorees
Meery Panlilio, RN, Receives DAISY Award
Congratulations to Meery Panlilio, MSN, RN, CNOR, who received the latest DAISY Award! Panlilio, who works in the Operating Room, was nominated by a fellow CHLA team member who wanted to recognize Panlilio’s skills, commitment to families with children being cared for at CHLA, and her recent success taking on a new role of ENT nurse coordinator.
“She is always there to assist with any equipment or answer any question we might have while doing any procedure with any of the ENT surgeons. We can always count on her to help us with questions we might have during a difficult case,” shared the nominator. “[A] few months ago, room six was under construction; the is the main room where most of the ENT cases are done. She did [an] exceptional job by helping all of us with supplies and equipment during this time of construction. Her responsibilities as a coordinator are many but she is always very pleasant to work with.”
Wendy Ho, RN, Receives DAISY Award
Congratulations to Wendy Ho, BSN, RN, CPHON, who received the latest DAISY Award! Ho, who works on 4 West, was nominated by a patient’s parent who wanted to recognize Ho’s bedside manner, time management and patient care skills.
“Wendy she is the definition of a nurse. [She is a] quick thinker, used great judgment, [and is] very knowledgeable,” shared the nominator. “She’s amazing! Coming from a nurse myself, I would love to be more like her.”
Grace Snyder, RN, Receives DAISY Award
Congratulations to Grace Snyder, BSN, RN, who recently received the DAISY Award! Snyder, who works in the Emergency Department, was nominated by a patient’s parent who was thoroughly impressed by the care, attention and understanding provided by Snyder. The patient needed to have a nasogastric tube placed, and was understandably anxious.
“What struck me the most was Nurse Grace’s genuine concern for my [child’s] pain and discomfort. She took the time to understand my [child’s] fears and anxieties, and she approached the procedure with utmost care and sensitivity. With her calm demeanor and reassuring presence, she was able to make my [child] feel at ease,” shared the nominator. “Nurse Grace’s dedication and compassion truly touched our hearts. Thank you, Nurse Grace, for the exceptional care and support you provided. You are truly an angel in disguise, and we will always remember your kindness and expertise.”
Melissa Lee, RN, Receives DAISY Award
Congratulations to Melissa Lee, BSN, RN, CPN, who received the latest DAISY Award! Lee, who works on the Duque 6 Rehabilitation unit, was nominated by a patient who wanted to share the ways in which Lee’s care has had a positive impact.
“My nurse Melissa is so very sweet and caring. She has to be one of the best nurses I have ever had,” shared the nominator. “She makes sure that I feel better. She treats me like if I’m her own kid, which I love. She’s so pretty and just a really big sweetheart. I bet a lot of kids feel the same way too. She is like the rainbow Care Bear making everyone feel like they are at home. I would write way more, but it is hard for me to do so. Melissa, you are just the best nurse ever. You deserve a DAISY. I know you make others feel this way too.
2023 Honorees
Liver Transplant Program Receives DAISY Team Award
Congratulations to the latest recipient of the DAISY Team Award, the Liver Transplant Program! This program, which recently celebrated its 25th anniversary and its successful 500th liver transplant procedure, was nominated by a CHLA team member who wanted to recognize the excellence of the multidisciplinary team, and the leadership of Stephanie Johnson, RN, MBA, Administrator, Transplant Services.
Sharing an example of the “collaborative, can-do attitude and spirit” of this team, the nominator described the team taking on patients from a hospital in another state when that hospital was no longer able to offer liver transplant services. Seeing the volumes and high-quality outcomes at CHLA, this hospital asked CHLA’s team to take over care of their listed patients, including a child in the ICU. CHLA’s team, led by Johnson, worked quickly to transfer the child to CHLA, where they underwent a successful transplant; they are now back home and doing well.
“In taking care of children in the emergent setting of acute liver failure, we are challenged by a response time that is needed that pushes our nurse coordinator team to work in collaboration with the ICU, hospitalists, inpatient nursing, social workers, nutritionists, financial counselors, transplant surgeons, and liver faculty and get the child on the liver transplant list as a Status 1A. In these situations, it is all hands on deck, and I have seen our fabulous team of nurse colleagues, led by Ms. Johnson, do so without hesitation and with great empathy for the children that are being helped,” shared the nominator. “This is not a one-time event, but every time (~8-10 times a year) that we have to go through this process, and every time I am amazed by how they go above and beyond to accomplish the tasks needed as fast as humanly possible.”
Neha Mehta, RN, Receives DAISY Award
Congratulations to Neha Mehta, BSN, RN, CPN, who received the latest DAISY Award! Mehta, who works in Surgical Admitting, was nominated by a patient's parent who wanted to recognize the compassionate care Mehta provides.
"Neha always makes my son feel comfortable coming in for his treatment. She goes above and beyond. Neha has been a wonderful and consistent positive part of our challenging health journey and deserves to be recognized for her dedication and care of patients," shared the nominator.
Zulema Vega, RN, Receives DAISY Award
Congratulations to Zulema Vega, BSN, RN, CPN, who received the DAISY Award! Vega, who works in the Nephrology Clinic, was nominated by two different patient families who wanted to recognize her exemplary care and support.
“Zulema is amazing. She has true compassion,” shared one nominator. “She has cried with me and celebrated the victories in my son’s journey.”
“We couldn’t have asked for better support,” shared another nominator.
Faith Matthews, RN, Receives DAISY Award
Congratulations to Faith Matthews, BSN, RN, BMTCN, who received the DAISY Award! Matthews, who works on the BMT unit, was nominated by a patient's parent who wanted to recognize Matthews as "a great nurse and a great friend" and detailed how much the support and care provided meant to their family.
"Faith was there for us in the most difficult time of our lives. We, as a family, were in a very difficult and confusing situation. We were learning new routines, new medications. We were told that this would probably be the most complicated phase for my daughter, facing the unknown, scared, worried, with thousands of questions that we could not even understand; and there was Faith with a smile behind her face mask, giving us the answers, explaining as many times as it was necessary, but the most important part was, being in the best nurse for my daughter, comforting her when she was sad, motivating her to take her meds, giving her space when she needed it," shared the nominator. "I know that the nurse’s job is to take care of their patients, but Faith, she really went above and beyond for my family. Knowing that my baby was being taken care by Faith was a great relief for my heart."
Cassidy Herro, RN, Receives DAISY Award
Congratulations to Cassidy Herro, BSN, RN, CPN, CCRN, for receiving the latest DAISY Award! Herro, who works in the CTICU, was nominated by a patient’s parent who was thankful for how Herro advocated on their behalf, maintained excellent communication, and provided the “best care possible.”
“She was able to quickly use her expertise to address a more [severe] complication,” shared the nominator. “Her attention to details may have just saved my son’s life! Thank you, Cassidy!”
Louise Erdman, RN, Receives DAISY Award
Congratulations to Louise Erdman, BSN, RN, who received the DAISY Award! Erdman, who works on the 6 North Rehabilitation unit, was nominated by a grateful patient who appreciated Erdman’s kindness, willingness to answer any questions and help throughout the healing process.
“She taught me about the power of positivity. She encouraged me to go to the garden and playroom, and that helped a lot. But she also told me it was ok to be scared or frustrated and it was ok to cry,” shared the nominator. “Louise felt like a friend, and she made a hard time easier. I’m thankful for everything she did for me.”
Majella Doherty, RN, Receives DAISY Award
Congratulations to Majella Doherty, RN, CPN, for receiving the latest DAISY Award! Doherty, who works on 6 East, was nominated by a patient’s parent. They praised “Nurse Majella” for the impactful role she had in their daughter’s care.
“She quickly established rapport with our daughter and interacted with her frequently, causing her to forget about all of the wires and pokes. Nurse Majella was knowledgeable and really advocated for our daughter to help her to receive the best care. She listened to me and my concerns – educating me along the way. Her singing and playful games meant the world to my daughter,” shared the nominator. “Her service to this hospital is truly exemplary! I see that she is a team player in her interactions with the other staff members. Nurse Majella – truly an angel for our family.”
Monitoring and Screening Unit Receives DAISY Team Award
Congratulations to the latest recipient of the DAISY Team Award, the Monitoring and Screening Unit (MSU)!
As CHLA prepared to meet the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the MSU emerged to screen for COVID and care for COVID-positive patients. In the early days of the pandemic, when there was much uncertainty, a group of nurses answered the call to care for these patients. The award nomination submitted for the MSU shared that these nurses were met with enormous challenges and overcame them with grace and compassion.
“As the Lead Nurses of the MSU, we cannot express enough our gratitude and pride in these nurses,” shared the nominators. “We wanted to take a minute to acknowledge the valued work of these nurses. Nursing at its core is answering the call to care for those in need. In this unprecedented time in modern history, we are proud of the dedication, compassion and hard work this group of nurses have shown.”
Congratulations, MSU team!
Nina Nacpil, RN, Receives DAISY Award
Congratulations to Nina Nacpil, MSN, RN, CCRN, for receiving the latest DAISY Award! Nacpil, who works on the CTICU unit, was nominated by a patient’s parent. They praised Nacpil for going above and beyond, sharing how comforted they felt that their child was in her care.
“She was so attentive, gentle, knowledgeable and supportive. She also made sure I was okay and [that I] took a nap. When I had to leave to go see about my other two children and do laundry to come back to the bedside, I called to get updates on [my child], and she was always informative and did it with pleasure,” shared the nominator. “I was comfortable leaving the bedside for the night because of the security she gave me that my [child] was in amazing hands. That says a lot because I don’t leave my children with anyone other than myself, my husband or grandma. We love you, Nina! You’re awesome.”
Erika Reyes, RN, Receives DAISY Award
Congratulations to Erika Reyes, BSN, RN, for receiving the latest DAISY Award! Reyes, who works on the CV Acute and CTICU units, was nominated by a patient’s parent. They shared praise for every nurse they interacted with but highlighted how Reyes “went an extra mile.”
“My little son was crying and crying, and we couldn’t sooth him, when suddenly Erika came in the room, not being his [nurse], and started helping our current nurse sooth my baby,” shared the nominator. “She brought him a music box, new pacifier, [and] rubbed his head until [he] finally calmed down. She made the situation extremely soothing when [she] finally became my son’s nurse [when] we moved to CV Acute. Erika was extremely helpful and sweet. Thank you, Erika and team. Our stay here was amazing!”
Liana Lorusso, RN, Receives DAISY Award
Congratulations to Liana Lorusso, BSN, RN, CPN, for receiving the latest DAISY Award! Lorusso, who works on CV Acute, was nominated by a patient’s family member who was impressed with the treatment they received during a hospitalization.
“Liana Lorusso is one of the most humble, compassionate, and professional nurses, who has great listening skills,” shared the nominator. “Her explanations of care were very precise and clear. Overall, she demonstrated compassion and [a] high level of patient care.”
Roland Merida, RN, Receives March DAISY Award
Congratulations to Roland Merida, BSN, RN, for receiving the latest DAISY Award! Merida, who works in the Pulmonology clinic, was nominated by a fellow team member who highlighted his “clinical skill and compassionate care,” sharing an example of a time he went above and beyond for a patient family whose child had a new diagnosis requiring additional instruction and appointments to learn to use airway clearance devices.
“Roland is consistently surveilling the clinic and finding out ways to make it run more efficiently and provide better care to patients,” shared the nominator. “He has a positive attitude and has always been a bright spot in my day. I am extremely grateful to the efforts Roland puts into clinic and I am thankful he is part of the CHLA Pulmonary team. He is bright and talented and very deserving of the best.”
Kristyn Richards, RN, Receives February DAISY Award
Congratulations to Kristyn Richards, RN, MSN, CNL, for receiving the latest DAISY Award! Richards, who works in the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation Newborn and Infant Critical Care Unit (NICCU), was nominated by a fellow team member who highlighted her “kindness and compassion towards patients and families” and “strong sense of loyalty and commitment” for her colleagues. The nominator shared an example of a particularly challenging situation during which Richards provided not only vital support with aspects of patient care but important emotional support for the care team.
“I am grateful for Kristyn’s humility, her extraordinary care, and the compassion she showed towards both my patient and me,” shared the nominator. “Kristyn’s dedication to stay with me and my patient during the multiple codes, helping us hold, and providing the last bath showed her dedication and commitment. Kristyn inspires all of us to go that extra mile for all our patients and families in any situation.”
Mary Kate Henke, RN, Receives January's DAISY Award
Congratulations to Mary Kate Henke, BSN, RN, for receiving the latest DAISY Award! Henke, who works on Duque 5, received two different nominations, from both a patient family and a fellow team member. They highlighted her proactive, attentive style of patient care, as well as her positive attitude.
“Mary was such a sweet nurse we had the honor to meet. Her sweet smile and energetic appearance every time she enters the room make the patient feel [they are] in safe hands,” shared one nominator. “Although she works night shifts, she is full of energy. She is compassionate and caring. Mary, you are an angel; just you’re missing the wings!”